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Electrical Wire and Cable


The Many Uses for Pilot Light Switches


How to Install a Pilot Light Switch to be used for Several Applications



Home Electrical Wiring Video

Hooking Up a Generator to the House Panel
Using a Circuit Breaker Interlock Kit
for Backup Power

NOTE: A List of All my Helpful Videos
Will Display at the End of This Video
So Keep Watching So I Can Help You Wire it Right!

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Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring
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Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example

How to Install a Pilot Light Switch
[ad#block]Electrical Question: I am trying to replace a standard light switch with one that has a light on it that will be on when the light’s are on. The problem I am having is when the lights are off the indicator light is on. I am not sure if the fact that it is the garage lights I am trying to hook the switch into is operated by two switches, has any effect on it our not. I can get the switch to work correctly but I don’t have power to the light’s then.

This electrical question came from: Gary, a Homeowner from Buffalo, MN.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical question Gary.

Installing a Pilot Light Switch for Several Applications

Wiring a Pilot Light Switch

Pilot Light Switch Applications

 

RESOURCES

[ad#block2]Light Switch Wiring
Light Switch Wiring
Wiring a Light Switch – Diagram 1
For more information about Light Switch Wiring:
Fully explained pictures and wiring diagrams about wiring light switches describing the most common switches starting with photo diagram 1.

This link is helpful as a Homeowner
Do-It-Yourself Electrical


The following may also be helpful for you:

Dave's Guide to Home Electrical Wiring:

» You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes! «

Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book
Great for any Home Wiring Project.
  electrical wiring  

Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring

Perfect for Homeowners, Students,
Handyman, Handy Women, and Electricians
Includes:
Wiring GFCI Outlets
Wiring Home Electric Circuits
120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits
Wiring Light Switches
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet
Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring
Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring
NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring
....and much more.


Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring
with my Online Video Course:
Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example


Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right

The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!

The Non-Contact Electrical Tester
This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.

The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!

The Plug-In Outlet Tester
This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use.

Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!

The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter
My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets..

The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.


More articles about Electrical and Home Electrical Wiring:
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Is Your Contractor Doing It Right? Grounding an Electrical Outlet


FAQs Frequently Asked Questions and Comments

2 Responses to “The Many Uses for Pilot Light Switches”
  1. Greg mac says:

    My question is on electronic low voltage dimmers. These dimmers have a back light in the switch and require a neutral for the microprocessor inside. Do you think these switches use leakage current through the circuit or use the attached neutral wire for the return current path of the back light. I am powering a low voltage led transformer and can’t have any leakage current. The specific part # is a Lutron dvelp-300p-wh.
    Thanks for any input.

  2. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Greg,
    The dimmer that you have described I believe is actually DVELV-300P, which does require connections to the power source including the neutral and the ground. I doubt that this dimmer uses return current. Older technologies of many dimmer switches that did not require a neutral wire did use feed back current which at the time was made available through the filament of the standard incandescent light bulb. In fact, the earlier occupancy sensor switches did require this type of connection through the filament, and if a CFL type lamp was used in the light fixture in place of an incandescent lamp you would notice the CFL lamp flicker when the occupancy switch had turned off the light.
    I hope this helps you with your project,
    Dave